A Perth woman was hospitalised after stepping in to save her dog from attack

Dot Philip (60) of Drummond Crescent, Perth, was attacked by two dogs as she sought to save her pet Shih Tzu

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A Perth woman needed hospital treatment after stepping in to save her dog from attack.

Dot Philip (60), who lives in Drummond Crescent, was left with cuts and bruises over much of her body following the incident.

The injuries were caused after she intervened to save her much-loved pooch Murphy, a two-year-old Shih Tzu, after he was set upon by two Staffie-type dogs.

Back at home after the ordeal, she told the PA: “I didn’t sleep at all on Tuesday night,” clearly still visibly shaken by the incident.

“It has really shocked me, because it was all so quick.”

She required hospital treatment and has been unable to sleep.

Mrs Philip had been outside with Murphy when the incident happened on Tuesday.

It is believed Murphy had wandered into a nearby doorway when the two dogs emerged, and then apparently acted to defend their property.

Dot saw what was happening and intervened, and ended up with cuts and bruises on her arms, legs and chest. Murphy escaped with puncture wounds.

Speaking to the Perthshire Advertiser former bus ‘clippie’ Dot, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arthritis, said she was frightened to go outside after spending two hours being patched up at PRI.

“I had been outside speaking to someone and thought I should get Murphy in, just in case the neighbour’s dogs came out. Murphy went looking and then the next thing I know they are attacking him.

“They bit Murphy on the back of the neck and his tail is a bit sore. I was scratched, bruised and have puncture wounds from trying to prise open one of the dog’s mouths to free Murphy. I have an injury on my chest too.

“I tried hitting one of the dogs on its head to make it give up.

“Two other people had to step in to help me.”

She added: “When I think about it, it’s frightening how quick it was.

“My first thought was for Murphy, not for myself. He wouldn’t harm anyone and I didn’t want to see any harm being done to him.”

Not concerned for her own welfare, Dot was helped by a neighbour and took Murphy to a vet surgery in Perth, then sought treatment for herself.

“I am a bit sore and will need a bit more cleaning up from nurses over the next few days. Where the skin was torn the doctors just covered it over again and I have some painkillers.”

Husband Keith (62), dashed home from England where he was carrying out a lorry delivery, to support his wife.

The couple contacted the police and Perth and Kinross Council dog warden and officers visited on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr Philip said: “We just want to ensure that we are safe, that everyone is safe.

“Dot was outside our home when this happened. That has made it more shocking for everyone.

“The dog wardens and the police have been brilliant.

“Our neighbours have also been great and I’m really grateful to them.

“The police and dog wardens told us that as it looked like the dogs were defending their property, there wasn’t much they could do, although the dogs might be muzzled when outside.

“Murphy is our family to us, Dot loves him so much, so we’re just glad he’s safe and hope things improve and we can move on.”

The PA was unable to contact the owner of the two dogs involved.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed officers had attended on Tuesday. Police and dog wardens were also at Drummond Crescent when the PA visited on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the council told us: “We received a report late on Tuesday morning of an incident in Perth.

“Our Animal Welfare team is looking to speak urgently to the person who contacted us to advise that, as this relates to an incident with injury to an individual or another dog, it should also be reported to the police.

“We will liaise with the Police regarding the matter in order to determine what appropriate steps should be taken, i.e. whether action would be taken under dangerous dogs legislation, or if the council would issue a dog control notice to the animal’s owner requiring them, for example, to keep their pet on a lead and/or muzzled.

“In the interests of general public safety, we would always advise that dogs should be kept under control, particularly in public spaces.”